Head of paedophile hunter group Predator Exposure speaks out

Head of paedophile hunter group Predator Exposure speaks out

That’s the chilling message from the head of a group which snares paedophiles.

Set up 15 months ago, Leeds-based Predator Exposure prides itself on uncovering those who go online to groom children - and bringing the culprits to justice.

With a huge online following - nearly 140,000 people ‘like’ the group’s Facebook page - Predator Exposure says it is “passionate” about protecting the innocence of children. Its live streamed sting videos boast thousands of views, with countless comments praising work of the ‘paedophile hunters’.

Last week, Richard Myers, 44, of Manningham Lane, was jailed for nearly three years after being caught in a sting by the group. Myers admitted one charge of attempting to sexually communicate with a child, two counts of attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and five offences of attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity.

And while West Yorkshire Police says it shares the concerns of groups like Predator Exposure, it has urged them not to carry out this activity, stressing that it is the responsibility of law enforcement agencies.

The head of the group - who gave his name as Phil - said he set it up after being asked to find out who had been messaging his friend’s daughter.

And after exposing him live on Facebook, the married father-of-five says he was bombarded with messages, launching an operation which has seen the group catch nearly 30 people, most of who have been convicted or are waiting to go court, said Phil.